Hi there i have sore jaw on left side only i can't bite ny teeth together or open my mouth wide my gums ain't tender could it be a start of a absess?

Classic TMJ: In the absence of swelling, the fact that you can not open your mouth wide indicates that the muscles the open your mouth are involved which normally indicates a TMJ problem. Your teeth may be mis aligned which may be the reason you can't "bite your teeth together" . You need to see a dentist for an exam to treat this condition and to rule out an abscess with xrays.

Maybe: It might be due to an issue with your teeth or it might be due to the mucsles secondary to some time of extra function (grining and/or clenching) of the teeth.

Trismus: There is no such thing as "classic tmj", the same as there is no "classic knee" they both are anatomic names of joints. More likely it is the transitory inflammation of the muscles of biting and opening (masseteric sling), named trismus. Limit opening wide, ice on and off, take NSAID (advil (ibuprofen) etc), moist heat, soft diet; then it very well may subside. Good luck!